“A report warns that fleets of new communication satellites in low-Earth orbit will spoil some astronomical observations, even if all known mitigation strategies are taken.”
Astronomers and the operators of new, thousands-strong […] low-orbiting satellites will have to work together to prevent them from having a devastating impact on ground-based observations of planets, stars and other celestial objects, says a [recent] report […]. Even then, there is no escaping some harm from the fleets of commercial orbiters.
“All optical and infrared observatories will be affected to some degree,” [stated] astronomer Anthony Tyson of the University of California, Davis, […] at a briefing on the report.
The satellites, designed to provide internet access in remote areas, now number in the hundreds. [Following] the launch of the first batch by SpaceX in May 2019, astronomers were alarmed by how bright they appear in the sky. If all the planned [launches] go ahead, the number of satellites will grow beyond 100,000. Since last year, there have been a number of independent studies of [satellites’] possible impact. [The] workshop’s report is the first time the satellite companies, and those who would be affected (astronomers to the agencies that fund them and their telescopes), have pooled their results and worked out a strategy for the future.
The satellite trails are very bright, and out of focus slightly, so they’re wide and cover several pixels on images taken with a test version of the (soon to open Vera C.) Rubin Observatory’s camera, notes Tyson. [Telescopes] that need to work during twilight will also run into problems. Because the satellites are in low orbits, they will often be seen close to the horizon and will be most visible when they are still in sunlight but, the observer is not. If, however, satellite operators choose orbits above 600 kilometers, the situation gets worse because, then, their spacecraft are visible for more of the night, and in [the] summer, all night long. Astronomers should also develop software tools to remove satellite trails from images and the companies should make accurate orbital data available for their orbiters so telescopes can try to avoid them.
The only measure the report could offer to totally eliminate the damage to astronomy was to launch fewer or no low-orbiting satellites…likely not an option given the financial investments the companies are making in the [satellites] and the lucrative market they foresee.
Tyson and his colleagues have been working with SpaceX engineers to modify their satellites to reduce their brightness. His team has also modeled trying to steer the Rubin Observatory telescope to avoid passing satellites but, Tyson says there are simply too many. Astronomers are already actively pursuing image processing solutions but, he says “the jury’s out” on how much that can help.
When you look up in the sky at night, are you seeing a natural satellite or an artificial satellite?
And if you are a beginner (in astrology) you could very well make great mistakes because you’re looking at an artificial satellite instead of the real deal.
It could even be done on purpose… for nefarious reasons.
I thought perhaps you meant that NASA satellite images are CGI (cartoons/artist renderings) but this is how most of us get our ideas of what space actually is
[…] ObservatoryAstronomers Issue Report On The Effect Of ‘Satellite Constellations’ On AstronomyTheodolite Thursday: Satellites Interfere With AstronomyChinese company seeks approval to launch nearly 13,000 […]
[…] ObservatoryAstronomers Issue Report On The Effect Of ‘Satellite Constellations’ On AstronomyTheodolite Thursday: Satellites Interfere With AstronomyChinese company seeks approval to launch nearly 13,000 […]
August 28, 2020 at 7:37 AM
… call it what it is, ‘artificial astrology’
August 28, 2020 at 2:37 PM
I’m not following you…🤔
August 28, 2020 at 2:54 PM
When you look up in the sky at night, are you seeing a natural satellite or an artificial satellite?
And if you are a beginner (in astrology) you could very well make great mistakes because you’re looking at an artificial satellite instead of the real deal.
It could even be done on purpose… for nefarious reasons.
August 28, 2020 at 7:03 PM
Ah! Good point.
That being said, most astrologers use charts. They rarely have telescopes. I’ve heard the astronomers raising hell. The astrologers, not so much.
August 28, 2020 at 7:15 PM
Sorry for the confusion.
You are right about the astrologers using charts.
I like looking up – but seldom do it at night any more. 😦
August 28, 2020 at 7:56 PM
So do I and I have the Heavens-Above app to help.
August 28, 2020 at 8:11 PM
I like to use “sky map” myself
August 28, 2020 at 10:11 PM
I’m not familiar with that one.
August 29, 2020 at 8:37 PM
I thought perhaps you meant that NASA satellite images are CGI (cartoons/artist renderings) but this is how most of us get our ideas of what space actually is
August 30, 2020 at 1:08 AM
Well – who’s to say?
Not me, that’s for sure. I only have what I’ve been shown (or told) to go by. 😉
September 1, 2020 at 10:32 AM
Only humans could turn the sky into a junkyard…we are so damn clever!
September 1, 2020 at 11:49 PM
Yep. Ain’t we…
September 1, 2020 at 11:57 PM
Stupid humans….damn us
September 2, 2020 at 12:03 AM
Nah. Ask your higher self for reintegration. We won’t be stupid, then. I’m not kidding, either.
September 2, 2020 at 12:06 AM
Well I hope not
September 2, 2020 at 12:12 AM
Hope we won’t be stupid or hope I’m not kidding?
September 2, 2020 at 12:16 AM
Hope we won’t be stupid
September 2, 2020 at 3:55 AM
Judging by CT’s description of reintegration (he went thru the process but, was asked to return), “stupid” doesn’t exist.
October 25, 2021 at 11:11 AM
[…] ObservatoryAstronomers Issue Report On The Effect Of ‘Satellite Constellations’ On AstronomyTheodolite Thursday: Satellites Interfere With AstronomyChinese company seeks approval to launch nearly 13,000 […]
October 25, 2021 at 3:10 PM
[…] ObservatoryAstronomers Issue Report On The Effect Of ‘Satellite Constellations’ On AstronomyTheodolite Thursday: Satellites Interfere With AstronomyChinese company seeks approval to launch nearly 13,000 […]